This study is aimed at developing, processing and characterize ZrC - based ceramics for high temperature applications. Two grades of ZrC were used as matrixes, and partially stabilized zirconia, titanium carbide and molybdenum were used as a second phase and were spark plasma sintered to >98% of theoretical density at temperatures between 1700 and 2000 °C and pressure of 50 MPa. The volume fraction of additives varied from 20 to 40% in the precursor powder blend and different composites were produced. The presence of the retained tetragonal zirconia in ZrC-ZrO_2 composite prospects this material for increased fracture toughness characteristics. Increasing of TiC content from 25 to 40vol% results in hardness increment of 4GPa. ZrC-TiC composite is dependant on the sintering regimes being used for fabrication.
展开▼
